My BTO is arriving this afternoon, and I bought 32GB of RAM from crucial and was hoping someone could answer a question for me. Is it fine to just install the RAM before I even start it up the first time, or is there a reason I should wait until I know everything works fine? Thanks in advance!

My BTO is arriving this afternoon, and I bought 32GB of RAM from crucial and was hoping someone could answer a question for me. Is it fine to just install the RAM before I even start it up the first time, or is there a reason I should wait until I know everything works fine? Thanks in advance!

It wouldn't be a bad idea to start it first, just to make sure there are no problems before you modify anything.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to start it first, just to make sure there are no problems before you modify anything.

I've done it both ways in the past, but the older and wiser me agrees. Boot that baby up once and make sure it works first. Also, run a Hardware Test (hold down D during startup) after putting in the RAM.

Is there anything I need to do to "install" the RAM or do I simply put it in?

Just insert the RAM modules in the slots. Your iMac will come with instructions on how to add or replace RAM. It's extremely simple. Once you've installed it, just turn your Mac on and it will recognize and use the RAM. There is no "setup" process.

Just insert the RAM modules in the slots. Your iMac will come with instructions on how to add or replace RAM. It's extremely simple. Once you've installed it, just turn your Mac on and it will recognize and use the RAM. There is no "setup" process.

Just insert the RAM modules in the slots. Your iMac will come with instructions on how to add or replace RAM. It's extremely simple. Once you've installed it, just turn your Mac on and it will recognize and use the RAM. There is no "setup" process.

Did it myself this morning. Dead easy but as the others said its worth booting up with the original RAM just to check everything is running fine.

I then disconnected all connections and pushed the catch in the area where the Power Plug fits. This is quite stiff and I used small pencil to push it till it clipped free and the door on the RAM opens. You need to push two levers to the side (clearly marked) and then the RAM tray folds down a touch. As A precaution I used an earthing strap and then pulled out the two original 4GB modules. Then just locate the guides and push in the four 8GB modules and close it back up and start the iMac up again and hey presto you now have 32GB, I hope :-)

Okay so I did that. Really simple. The 2x8GB RAM modules from crucial run perfectly. Now I have 24GB @1600 Mhz. More than enough for me. Thanks for the help. I didn't expect it to be that simple!
And by the way: WOW does this machine boot fast! Less than 10 seconds and my startup apps (Mail, Chrome, better touch, Steam) run in less than 3 more seconds
Amazing, I love Fusion drive!

Okay so I did that. Really simple. The 2x8GB RAM modules from crucial run perfectly. Now I have 24GB @1600 Mhz. More than enough for me. Thanks for the help. I didn't expect it to be that simple!
And by the way: WOW does this machine boot fast! Less than 10 seconds and my startup apps (Mail, Chrome, better touch, Steam) run in less than 3 more seconds
Amazing, I love Fusion drive!

Do you guys recommend mixing the Crucial sticks with the Apple sticks? Any potential issues with that set up?

I added 2additional 8GB sticks to mine last night. 24GB total. I was blown away with how HARD it was to push the button releasing the RAM cover. There was NO WAY you could do that with your bare hands. I had to grab a key and push as hard as I could to get it to release. It's not a huge deal since you don't change out RAM very often... but I have to admit, it sure didn't seem 'Apple Designed' to me.

I added 2additional 8GB sticks to mine last night. 24GB total. I was blown away with how HARD it was to push the button releasing the RAM cover. There was NO WAY you could do that with your bare hands. I had to grab a key and push as hard as I could to get it to release. It's not a huge deal since you don't change out RAM very often... but I have to admit, it sure didn't seem 'Apple Designed' to me.

I used a little coin and with that it was no problem whatsoever to lift the lid.